At Least One Galveston CU 'Ready to Go'

GALVESTON, Texas -- A few lucky Texas credit unions Tuesday were at last seeing some hope for service resumption at their offices in this devastated city.

"We had three teams of adjustors from CUNA Mutual in our Galveston branch yesterday and we can say we are virtually ready to go," declared Tony Budet, president/CEO of the $929 million University FCU, which has a free standing facility near the University of Texas Medical Center Campus.

Its Galveston branch, without power and closed by city and federal authorities since Hurricane Ike hit on hit Sept. 12-13, "came through with little damage" and preparations are being made to re-open, said Budet noting that residents are now being allowed to return Wednesday.

Citing industry cooperation in time of disaster, Budet heaped praise on management of the nearby $480 million Amoco FCU of Texas City for allowing University of Austin to set up its mobile branch "complete with banners" on a parking lot of Amoco's Bay Colony branch. In addition, members of University FCU displaced by the storm were also able to utilize shared branch services at Amoco.

Meanwhile, the Texas Credit Union League identified some less fortunate CUs which suffered property losses with facilities still closed. That included branches of Coastal Community Galveston Government EFCU, and Island Teachers while it was still looking for a "status report" on Electrical Workers 527 and Galveston School Employees. JSC FCU of Houston said also its Galveston branch located in the historical Strand district "took in about six feet of water" and remains shuttered.